The meaning of IDLY is in an idle manner. How to use idly in a sentence.

IDLY definition: without taking action or showing concern. See examples of idly used in a sentence.

Laziness and lazy people Passive and not working (Definition of idly from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

Definition of idly adverb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

IDLY definition: unemployed or unoccupied ; inactive | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples in American English

Jun 23, 2025 · idly (comparative more idly, superlative most idly) Without specific purpose, intent or effort. [from 9th c.]

idly - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free.

There are three meanings listed in OED's entry for the adverb idly, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Define idly. idly synonyms, idly pronunciation, idly translation, English dictionary definition of idly. adj. i·dler , i·dlest 1. a. Not employed or busy: idle carpenters. See Synonyms at inactive. b. Disinclined …

The adverb idly describes any action that isn't particularly active, and it comes from idle, "lazy or unemployed," and its Germanic root meaning "worthless."